Not only that but the plates belong to you, not the vehicle. If you sell the vehicle you keep the plates and you can transfer them to a different vehicle. I think there was a fee but it was minor (something like the $4 mentioned above.)
There's a cure for that,............ In MY state, the price for the actual Amateur plate is wiaved (if you belong to Ares).
In Kansas onetime $4, I think and you can move them when you get a new car. If you sell the vehicle you keep the plates
It's been a number of years now and don't recall if there was an additional fee for the original application. There is no special fee at renewal. You can have up to two plates (one plate state) have K3XR and K3XR-2. Plates may be transferred to a new vehicle or another vehicle that you own.
In New York State, in addition to the "regular" registration fee, there is a $35 initial surcharge (for production of the call-sign plate -- rather than the $60 surcharge for any other "vanity" plate) and a $6.25 surcharge at renewal time (2 years), rather than the $32 renewal surcharge for "vanity" plates. Both initial application and renewal require presentation of proof of Amateur Radio license.
In California, there is a one-time fee for the initial application. You still pay the ever-increasing registration fees every year and you can take the plate with you when you change vehicles.
Remember when the fees used to decrease annually as your vehicle got older and presumably decreased in taxable value?
In South Carolina, I paid exactly $1 for amateur tag. My only complaint is that it is limited to one vehicle. I cannot see the harm in having a hatchback and motorcycle with the same plate number. It's not like they are difficult to tell apart.
You can also take the plate with you when you change states I still have my Ca plate, .................mounted to the wall of my garage. I remember the $300 (plus) Ca registration fees (this was years ago, I don't think they are any lower now) plus "smog inspection" fees My $27 annual registration renewal fee looks pretty good right now.
I did not have to pay an additional fee with my new tags in Texas, but I don't think I was 'prorated' or reimbursed for any 'unused' time on my previous issued plates. Registration changed from September to February. Did not need to reinspect, however. I'm waiting until closer to the expiration date to renew for my vanity.
